Standard Operating Procedure for dealing with tree offences under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act
Delhi Gazette
SG-DL-E-23052026-272832
EXTRAORDINARY
PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY
No. 136] DELHI, TUESDAY, MAY 19, 2026/VAISAKHA 29, 1948 [N. C. T. D. No. 51
DEPARTMENT OF FORESTS AND WILDLIFE
NOTIFICATION
Delhi, the 18th May, 2026
F. No. 1 (2585)/Legal/HQ/22-23/2280.—In exercise of the powers conferred by Section 33 of the Delhi
Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, the Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi, in public interest, hereby,
notifies “Directions to Tree Officers on Standard Operating Procedure for dealing with Tree Offences under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994”
DIRECTIONS TO TREE OFFICER ON STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE FOR DEALING WITH
TREE OFFENCES UNDER THE DELHI PRESERVATION OF TREES ACT, 1994
(Notified under Section 33 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act (DPTA), 1994)
WHEREAS, Trees and human life are inseparable and human life cannot be imagined without trees, further
trees are important component of sustainable development in a society.
Whereas, Section 33 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 empowers State Government to give direction
to Tree Officers, other officers of the Tree Authority and Officers subordinate to them general or special directions
regarding the discharge of their functions and for carrying out effectively the purposes of the Act.
Therefore, in view of giving full and proper effect to the intent and purpose of the Delhi Preservation of Trees
Act,1994 and for the preservation of Trees in the National Capital Territory, the Government of National Capital
Territory of Delhi considers it expedient to issue directions under the powers vested in it by Section 33 of the Delhi
Preservation ofTrees Act, 1994 to follow the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for effectuating the provisions for prevention of commission of offences under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, for effective response on receipt of information of offence(s), for conducting hearings / proceedings / investigation / timely prosecution by the Tree officers for the offences and violations under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 and mattersancillary thereto.
The following directions shall be called the “Standard Operating Procedures for dealing with Tree
Offence under Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994; 2026”:
PART-I
I. Receipt of Information of Offence–Quick Response Mechanism
1. Information regarding an offence can be received by way of–
(i) Calls received on the ‘Green Helpline’
(ii) Information submitted online on a dedicated website already created for this
purpose i.e. https://ghl.eforest.delhi.gov.in.
(iii) Information submitted offline through letters / hand-written complaints.
(iv) Information forwarded through Green Delhi App/ 311 or any other app developed by Delhi
Government.
2. The Range Officer / Range In-Charge concerned will register a First Offence Report (FOR) under Section
22 of the DPTA, 1994. All such information shall be transmitted forthwith in real time to the Forest Control Room,
Division Control Room and Beat Officer concerned and to Land-Owning agency for immediate action as enumerated in the table below:-
II. Action at Site by Quick Response Team (QRT)
1. The QRT personnel shall ensure that status quo is maintained at site and shall for this purpose:
a) Interfere to stop the commission of the offence and prevent further commissionof the offence.
b) Take geo-referenced photographs of the site, video recording of the person(s) suspected of
committing the offence including tools, implements, any boats, vehicles, animal other conveyances
used for the commission of the said offence, along with the Tree or part thereof, which has been
severed from the ground or the trunk, as the case may be.
c) Record in writing the name and address of the person(s) suspected of committing the offence.
d) Take any person(s), reasonably suspected of having been concerned in the offence committed,
and where such person refuses to give his name or address or gives a name or address which
the concerned officer has reasonto believe to be false or if he has reason to believe that the
person will abscond, to the concerned Range Officer for further action.
e) Cordon the site of the Offence till such time the Beat Officer / Dy. Range Officer / Range Forest
Officer arrives.
2. The QRT shall leave the site only after arrival of the concerned Beat Officer at the site
and handing over of all necessary information collected in terms of entry II (1) above.
III. Action at Site by Beat Officer
1. Preventive Measures
In cases where there is apprehension of commission of offence the concerned Beat Officer shall:
a) Take geo-referenced photographs and geo-coordinates of all the Trees at the site.
b) Inform the Public Land-Owning Agency on their respective Control Room Number(s) and
in writing to the concerned Officer (s) in Charge, and in cases of private land owner–to the
respective Owner / Occupier, wherever there is apprehension of commission of an offence
due to digging/excavation near the Trees, deterioration of visible health of Trees,
barricading of construction area(s) which block the direct line of sight to the Tree(s),erosion
of soil etc. and submit a copy of the aforesaid intimation to the Local Police Station.
c) Wherever there is reasonable apprehension of contravention of Section 8 of the Delhi
Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 and / or preparation to commit such contravention, the
concerned Beat Officer / Forest Guard shall upon direction of the Tree Officer, or the Tree
Officer himself / herself issue a Restraining Order in writing under Section 20 of the Delhi
Preservation of Trees Act, 1994,to the concerned person(s) and cause the said Order to be
sent to the concerned Land-Owning Agency and the jurisdictional Police Station with a
request to ensure that no offence is committed and status quo is maintained at the site.
d) The Tree Officer shall also cause the Restraining Order so issued or a copy thereof to be
affixed in some conspicuous place at the site or in such other manner as the Tree Officer
may think fit.
2. Interception of Offence in progress
(i) In cases where Offence has been partly committed and/ or is underway, the
concerned Forest Official shall:
a) Interfere to stop the commission of the offence and prevent further
commission of offence(s).
b) Take geo-referenced photographs, video recording of the person(s) suspected
of committing the offence including tools, implements, any boats, vehicles,
animals or other conveyances used for the commission of the said offence(s),
along with the Tree or part there of, which has been damaged and/or severed
from the ground or the trunk, as the case maybe.
c) Record in writing the name and address of the person(s) suspected of
committing the offence and take a copy of their identity and address proof.
d) Take any person(s) reasonably suspected of having been concerned in the
offence committed, and where such person refuses to give his name or address
or gives a name or address which the concerned officer has reason to believe
to be false or if he has reason to believe that the person will abscond, to Range
Officer or any officer superior to him arrives at the site for further action.
e) Cordon the site of the Offence till such time the inquiry is completed.
f) Inform the Public Land – Owning Agency on their respective Control Room
Number(s) and in writing to the concerned Officer(s) in Charge and in cases of
private land owner–to the respective Owner / Occupier verbally and in writing,
specifically identifying the offence committed.
g) Intimate in writing to the Local Police Station specifically enumerating the
offence(s) committed.
h) Request the concerned Tree Officer to seize the tools, implements, any boats,
vehicles, animals or other conveyances used or the commission of the said
offence, along with the Treeorpart there of, which has been severed from the
ground or the trunk, as the case may be.
i) Safely transport seized objects and material to the site designated by the Tree
Officer
(ii) Wherever there is apprehension of further commission of offence(s), the Tree
Officer shall issue a Restraining Order in writing under Section 20 read with
Section 31 (d) of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, to the concerned
person(s) and cause the said Order to be sent to the concerned Land-Owning
Agency and the jurisdictional Police Station with a request to ensure that no
further offence is committed and status quo is maintained at the site. The Tree
Officer shall also cause the same to be served by fixing a copy thereof in some
conspicuous place at the known address of the person concerned with the offence
which was last given to the forest official in-charge including the address given
under Section 19 of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, or in such other
manner as the Tree Officer may think fit and such service shall be deemed to be
sufficient service.
(iii) Wherever there is a violation of the Restraining Order so issued, the Tree Officer
shall intimate the concerned Police Station under Section 173 of the Bharatiya
Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (Section 154 of the Criminal Procedure Code,
1973), to take appropriate penal action in accordance with law.
(iv) The Tree Officer shall ensure that powers conferred by Section 11(2)of the Delhi
Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 are exercised for protection and preservation of
Trees, where necessary, by way of a reasoned and speaking Order.
(v) Notwithstanding the foregoing, the concerned forest Official or Tree Officer, as
the case may be, shall in cases where aide and assistance of the Police is required
for implementing the provisions of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994 and
these SOP, shall seek the assistance of the Station House Officer of the Police
Station concerned having jurisdiction over the site or area. The concerned Forest
Official or Tree Officer shall intimate the concerned Station House Officer that
his aid and assistance is being sought in terms ofthe directions of the Hon’ble
High Court of Delhi passed vide itsOrder dated 14.03.2022 in Contempt Case
(Civil) No. 220 of 2022New Delhi Nature Society v Sh. Rajesh Bansal and Ors.,
wherein the Hon’ble High Court has directed that as and when are quest for police
assistance is made by the Tree Officer or a Forest Guard, the SHO concerned
shall depute at-least two police officers so that there is no threat to the life and
limb of the said Forest Personnel. It was further directed that provision of further
security would also be duly considered and provided by the local police upon
such request being made by the Tree Officer.
3. Resolution in cases of conflict to Territorial jurisdiction of Tree Officers
Whenever, in cases where offence has been detected and there is a conflict in ascertaining
the territorial jurisdiction between separate forest divisions, the decision of the
Conservator of Forests shall be final and binding. Provided that there shall be no delay in
actions prescribed in Part-I above by the Forest Officials responding at the first instance.
PART–II
PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE TREE OFFICER
4. Inquiry
In all cases of Offence(s) and alleged offence(s), the concerned Tree Officer shall:
a) Cause the concerned Forest Official / Beat Officer to gather evidence from the site,
including but not limited to CCTV footage in and around the site of the offence, gather local
human intelligence and record contact details and statements of eyewitnesses, if any, and
take all such measures that may be required for gathering evidence regarding the offence
committed.
b) Issue a ‘Notice’ to the Person(s) / Private Entity / Organization (Head of the Department /
officer/ unit, director, manager, secretary, treasurer or otherofficer of the organization)
suspected of committing the offence(s), to appear before him on such date and time as
maybe fixed for holding an inquiry under Section 31(d) of the Delhi Preservation of Trees
Act, 1994.
c) Issue intimation to the Complainant/ Informant informing him/her of the date of Hearing and
/ or proceedings initiated and grants an opportunity to assist the Tree Officer.
The Tree Officer shall be guided by the principles of Natural Justice in all proceedings before it
under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994.
5. Notice
A Notice for inquiry into offences shall be issued by the Tree Officer concerned by the
powers vested under Section 31(d) of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994. The format
of the Notice shall be as prescribed by Principal Chief Conservator of Forests / HoD.
6. Mode of Sending Notice-
(1) Every Notice or correspondence under this SOP shall be sent to the Person(s)/ Private
Entity/ Organization (Head of the Department/ officer/ unit, director, manager, secretary,
treasurer or other officer of the organization) suspected of committing the offence(s) or any
other person, by registered post with acknowledgement due and by e-mail if same is
available.
(2) If any Notice or correspondence is returned unserved with an endorsement to the effect
that the addressee had refused to accept the Notice or letter, the notice or letter shall be
deemed to have been served.
(3) If the Notice or letter is returned with an endorsement to the effect that the addressee cannot
be found at the address given, the Tree Officer shall direct the concerned Forest official in
charge of the case to verify and provide the correct address, and on production of the correct
address, a fresh Notice or letter shall be issued at such address.
(4) Where the notice or letter is returned under sub-entry (3) above, the Tree Officer shall cause
the same to be served by fixing a copy thereof in some conspicuous place at the known
address of the person concerned which was last given to the forest official in-charge
including the address given under Section19 of the Act, or in such other manner as the Tree
Officer may think fit and such service shall be deemed to be sufficient service.
7. Summons to witness
Wherein the opinion of the Tree Officer, the presence of a witness is necessary for just
adjudication of the matter before him/ her, the Tree Officer shall:
Issue a summons in terms of Order XVI Rule1 and 5 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908
by the Tree Officer.
8. Mode of Sendng Summon
1. Every Summon under this SOP shall be sent to the witness or any other person, by
registered post with acknowledgement due and by e-mail if same is available.
2. If any Summon is returned un-served with an endorsement to the effect that the addressee
had refused to accept the Summon, the Summon shall be deemed to have been served.
3. If the Summon is returned with an endorsement to the effect that the addressee cannot be
found at the address given, the Tree Officer shall direct the concerned Forest official in
charge of the case to verify and provide the correct address, and on production of the correct
address, a fresh Summon shall be issued at such address.
9. Compelling attendance of a witness and the production of documents and material
objects.
In cases where the Person(s) / Private Entity / Organization (Head of the Department/
officer/ unit, director, manager, secretary, treasurer or other officer of the organization)
suspected of committing the offence(s), to whom a Notice has been issued fails to appear
before the Tree Officer, or
In cases where summon has been issued to a witness and the witness fails to appear and/or
produce any document in compliance of the said summon, the Tree Officer may:
Issue a Warrant of Arrest in terms of Order XVI Rule 10 of the Code of Civil Procedure,
1908, by the Tree Officer through the Police Station concerned.
10. Procedure for Hearing
In all proceedings under Section 31(d) of the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act, 1994, the
Tree Officer shall:
1. Be guided by the Principles of Natural Justice.
2. Afford an opportunity to each party to be heard and to file written submission(s),
documents etc.
3. On the date of hearing fixed, if the Person(s)/ Private Entity/ Organization (Head of the
Department / Officer / Unit, Director, Manager, Secretary, Treasurer or other officer of
the organization) suspected of committing the offence(s) and any witnesses summoned,
in spite of the service of Notice/ summon, does not appear either in person or through
his authorized representative,andwherethepresenceofsuchpersoncouldnotbe ensured,
the Tree Officer shall proceed to ensure that the inquiry in the matter is concluded and
arrive at a finding which shall be reduced inwriting. The Tree Officer shall then cause
the matter to be prepared andfiled for prosecution beforetheCourtof competent
jurisdiction by an officer not below the rank of Range officer, wherever necessary.
4. The Tree Officer may, on such terms as he/ she thinks fit, and at any stage of the
proceedings, adjourn the hearing: Provided that such adjournment shall not be given
more than once at any stage of the proceedings and there shall be no more than fifteen
days in between two hearings.
5. Pass written Orders for every hearing and ensure that the same is:
a. sent, free of charge, to the parties in the matter, and
b. uploaded on the website dedicated for such purpose.
6. Conclude the inquiry preferably within two months from the date of receipt
of the complaint.
7. Shall cause to be sent, free of charge, to the parties in the matter, a certified copy of the
final order.
PART-III
I. Establishment of Control Rooms
Control Room at Head quarters and Divisions:
(1) The Department of Forests and Wildlife shall establish following Control Rooms which shall
function twenty-four hours a day, on all days of the week and through out the year:
(a) At Head quarter level known as the Forest Control Room (FCR); and
(b)In every forest division known as the Division Control Room (DCR)
(2) As per requirement on case-to-case basis assistance shall be sought from the Control Rooms
of the Delhi Police, Delhi Fire Service and Centralized Accident and Trauma Services for
ensuring immediate response as and when the situationso requires.
(3) As and when intimation / information of an offence is received under the Delhi Preservation
of Trees Act, 1994 by the Forest Control Room, the same shall be transmitted in real time to
the Division Control Room and the Quick Response Teams of the Headquarters. The
Information shall include the Location of the Incident, Phone Number of the Informant /
Complainant and nature of the offence.
(4) Upon receipt of information from the FCR, the Division Control Rooms shall forth with direct
the nearest Divisional Quick Response Team and the beat Forest Officer to respond
immediately.
(5) The Forest Control Room and the Division Control Room(s) shall be headed byan officer /
official of appropriate rank.
(6) The Forest Control Room and the Division Control Room(s) shall handle all the complaints
reported through various sources mentioned at serial no (1) above including tree, attempt of
encroachment of forest land and wildlife – related complaints.
II. Establishment of Quick Response Teams (QRT)
Quick Response Team(s) (QRT) at Head quarters and Divisions:
(1) The Department of Forests and Wildlife shall deploy QRT’s at Headquarter level and in
every forest division with adequate manpower and equipment necessary to carry out the
mandate site of the Act.
III. Creation of a dedicated Website
1)The Department of Forests and Wildlife, GNCTD shall maintain a dedicated website to
cover the entire life cycle of a complaint made under the Delhi Preservation of Trees Act,
1994.
IV.Establishment of Prosecution / Legal Cell
1) Establishment of Legal Cell at Head quarter Level:
a. The Department of Forests and Wildlife shall establish a Legal Cell at its Headquarters,
with adequate manpower and facilities so required for efficient monitoring of cases. This
provision shall come into immediate effect.
b. The Legal Cell shall supervise and monitor the contesting of the cases in various Courts
of law and update the same in real time basis on the website designated for this purpose.
2) Establishment of Prosecution Cell at Division Level:
a. The Department of Forests and Wildlife shall establish a Prosecution Cell under each
Tree officer, with adequate manpower and facilities so required for efficient prosecution
of cases.
b. The prosecution cell shall maintain record of all quasi- judicial functions of Tree
Officers, assist Tree Officers in discharge of quasi-judicial functions, prepare cases for
prosecution before the Court of competent jurisdiction, and update the status of the same
in real time basis on the website designated for this purpose.
These directions shall come into force on the date of its publication in Official Gazette.
These directions shall supersede all earlier guidelines / directions issued in this regard.
By Order and in the Name of the
Lt. Governor of National Capital Territory of Delhi,
VIJAY KUMAR BIDHURI, Secy.
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